Mark Farren was scoring goals at a clip nearing a goal-per-game as recently as 2014.
On Wednesday, he succumbed to an aggressive brain tumor.
[ USWNT: U.S. Soccer sues women’s national team player association ]
In yet another example of a life taken at an extremely young age, Derry City record goal scorer Farren died at the age of 33 while undergoing treatment.
Farren scored a club-best 114 goals over 209 matches with Derry, and also played for Finn Harps, Monaghan United and Glenavon. He spent his youth with Tranmere Rovers and Huddersfield Town in England.
From the BBC:City chairman Phillip O’Doherty said: “We offer our sympathies to his family.
“He was a superb player and I think the entire football community throughout Ireland would say the same.
“But, most of all, he was a decent human being.”He was mourned in the Irish and world football community.
Gutted to hear news of the death of my former teammate mark farren, great player, even better man, prayers are with his family, RIP buddy
— James McClean (@JamesMcC14) February 3, 2016
Derry City will retire the Number 18 jersey as a tribute to the club’s all time leading goalscorer Mark Farren pic.twitter.com/VFaT5YZcg5
— Derry City FC (@derrycityfc) February 3, 2016
One of Irish football’s greatest has left us. RIP Mark Farren. #TheresOnlyOneMarkFarrenhttps://t.co/PE13CFvl8D
— FAI (@FAIreland) February 3, 2016
Very sad to hear of the passing of Mark Farren, 1 of the best strikers Ive played against in the #loi ‘pause & count your blessings’ 🙏🏼
— Keith Fahey (@Keith_Fahey) February 3, 2016
No idea who made this video but here’s Mark Farren doing what he did best. https://t.co/gHqGcUkCrl
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) February 3, 2016
Follow @NicholasMendola